Stormwater
commission
studying material

A commission studying stormwater drainage issues in Platte
City is busy analyzing data presented to it by engineers,
Mayor Frank Offutt said this week.

The stormwater commission met for the second time last
week and was presented data gathered by the engineering
firm of Bartlett and West. The firm has studied the adequacy
of the city's current storm facilities, which were built
to handle what is known as 10-year rains.

The city has come under scrutiny in recent months after
drainage problems in various areas of town, including
at the ball fields at Fourth and 92 Hwy.

The commission will review the information presented
to it by the engineers and meet again on March 20, the
mayor said. He said if the commission feels there are
problems to be addressed, it will prioritize those problem
areas.

"The analysis shows some of our stormwater structures
are pretty capable while others are somewhat in question,"
Offutt remarked.

Platte City experienced some heavy rains last year, rains
that could be classified as being of the 25, 50, and 100-year
variety, according to the mayor.

"We want to review the information in a comprehensive
manner rather than fix one problem that creates another
problem further downstream," Offutt said.

He said the commission's work will also help prepare
for drainage issues that new development will bring.

Lee Roy Van Lew, an alderman, was elected to serve as
chairman of the commission. Other members are Aaron Schmidt,
Dannie Stamper, Doug Baldwin and Michael Simenson.